A true classic in the realm of RTS. If you want to get into RTS games this is a must play. The game has a lot to offer, you'll have a ton ofA true classic in the realm of RTS. If you want to get into RTS games this is a must play. The game has a lot to offer, you'll have a ton of fun playing it.…Full Review »

This is a great gem in the Hall of RTS gaming history, it combines the historical setting of the previous Age of Empires games and adds a dashThis is a great gem in the Hall of RTS gaming history, it combines the historical setting of the previous Age of Empires games and adds a dash of fantasy and mythology and comes up with a highly enjoyable gaming experience. The basics of AOE gameplay are present, you gather resources, build buildings, research technology, and recruit units in order to gain and edge and eventually eliminate your opponent/s and all those areas are well-balances, easy to manage, and fun. You have three civilizations, each with different technology trees, bonuses, buildings and architecture styles, units, and pantheons. Each of those are subdivided into 3 different categories based on the patron deity, this confers a bonus in a particular field and gives access to a smaller pantheon of lesser gods. As you advance from age to age you chose one of two gods and the choices available to you are based on your patron deity, these lesser gods confer even more bonuses, unique technologies, a specific mythical unit, and a god power which can be used once and range on a scale of helpful to game-ending. This leads to each game having a huge potential for diversity and each civilization is able to use their particular advantage to be equally competitive. The most unique feature is the myth units which are like regular units but extremely strong and more powerful, they are a bane to all regular units and can therefore be countered with Heroes, stronger regular units. Heroes are either limited in number, expensive, or specific only to myth units and are therefore managed as cautiously as the myth units themselves but in return they can perform special tasks or get special bonuses. The original campaign is long and enjoyable, with a diverse array of missions and an interesting story. The AI is one of the best in a strategy game and will progressively become more difficult as the level is increased. It is unique in that it doesn't reward the AI with cheats but instead increases their speed and use of tactics, therefore economic warfare is an entirely viable option but the AI is equally as adept in this regard. The expansion is lackluster. It adds a new and unbalanced civilization, a few new technologies, and a campaign which provides a few good maps but lacks any depth or effective story. It adds a new unit, the Titan, which is available on random and in multiplayer maps. It is an extremely strong unit with an extremely large attack, so much so that the first civilization to acquire one is effectively the winner. The only defence against a Titan is another Titan, which means 3-way matches are essentially a waste of time. But aside from the expansion the game is as close to perfect as you will find in this genre. It is full of classic game-play, innovative, unique, and fun. A must for any PC gamers collection.…Full Review »

If you are looking for something without the blood and realism, but that provides diverse forces and units to work with plus a wide expanse ofIf you are looking for something without the blood and realism, but that provides diverse forces and units to work with plus a wide expanse of possibilities for creative and experimental strategizing, this game is second to one (Impossible Creatures with the Insect Invasion expansion). Next to IC, I've never had more fun with an RTS game, and I constantly hear it calling me back for more.

When you get the titan first, you'll think it's the coolest part of the game. When you don't, you'll curse the futility of attempting to defend yourself against one. The better you get, the less the latter will happen, and you will find that being first to the titan is not a guaranteed win. There is nothing more exciting than a titan war, and the victor will be the one who best supports his powerful behemoth with the right mix of regular units, heroes, and lesser mythological creatures.

Victory doesn't always go to the army of greater numbers; it's more likely to go to the army with the better supply line. Being able to pump out new units as fast as they get wiped out can eventually turn the tide in your favor even if you were out-manned at the start of a battle. To be successful in this game, you also need to learn to hold the line while sneaking in the back door to swipe a settlement and lower your opponent's maximum number of units.

And never underestimate the value of a well-played god power. There is such a giddy feeling about turning half of your opponent's army into pigs, and a well-placed hell's gate or a well-timed meteor shower can give you just enough edge at just the right time.

The game is already old by industry standards, but the graphics are good, the fun factor is high, and if you have any creative bone in your body, there is tremendous replay value.…Full Review »